President Obama urges Senate to pass "Cures Act"

Saturday, December 03, 2016 - 01:47

''There's a bill in congress that could help unlock a cure for Alzheimer's, end cancer as we know it and help people seeking treatment for opioid addiction finally get the help they need,'' Obama said in his weekly address. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

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ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
STORY: U.S. President Barack Obama spoke about the 21st Century Cures Act during his weekly address, released on Saturday (December 3).
"There's a bill in congress that could help unlock a cure for Alzheimer's, end cancer as we know it and help people seeking treatment for opioid addiction finally get the help they need. It's called the 21st Century Cures Act. It's an opportunity to save lives and an opportunity we just can't miss," said Obama.
The House has passed the bill overwhelmingly and the president is now calling on the Senate to do the same when they vote in a few days.
Obama listed the bill's benefits. "First, it will make real investments this year to combat the heroin and prescription drug epidemic that's plaguing so many of our communities," he said.
"This bill will allow us to invest in promising new therapies, in new ways to detect and prevent cancer, and to develop more vaccines for cancer just as we have them for measles or mumps," said Obama.
The president concluded by saying he would sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk. "When it's your family, hope can't come soon enough," said Obama.

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